Week 2 NEWSLETTER

Te Tiriti o Waitangi

I hope you all enjoyed our national public holiday and spent time with family and friends. Given the ‘political noise’ at the moment it is important to recognise our founding document, to recognise the very rocky road we have traveled so far…and to be excited about the potential of a future where Te Tiriti is central and honoured. 

In 2019 we invited Jay Ruka to speak to us as a staff...and he was excellent. His hope, his dream is that over time we come to honour the Treaty, to view it as a positive and be comfortable engaging with others in conversation about it. To bring Te Ao Māori and Western ways of being, thinking and working together. The video below is of Jay giving this presentation to a different audience...and while lengthy it is worth a watch. 

Another video floated through social media over the weekend and is worth sharing here to provoke some thinking. If we are to rise to Jay’s challenge of being comfortable having a conversation about Te Tiriti, we need to first be uncomfortable, to open the conversation up. This video is great (very funny as well), but also is confronting. It leaves us with the challenge to learn more about Te Tiriti, to speak a bit more Te Reo or to learn a waiata.

As a Pakeha principal I know I have a responsibility in this space to be better, to lead better and to be ‘uncomfortable’ as we head to being comfortable with Te Tiriti. I have certainly upskilled over the last few years, and as a school we have come quite a way on this journey...but, as always, more to learn, more to improve. 

School Picnic - Friday 16th February!

Looking forward to this…come hang out on the field, have a swim, play some games…and listen to some live music! 

Enrolments

I’m putting a call out now…have you enrolled your child for 2024? You may have a 4 year old in the house, or a friend with a 4 year old…make sure the office has been contacted so we have you in the system. Our enrollment zone was amended recently, you can read the details in this link. Make contact at office@douglaspark.school.nz .

Reminder: No students before 8.15am

Just a reminder, our gates are closed in the morning until 8.15am. A bell rings then, and after that students are welcome to come into school. But not prior. Before 8.15am staff are preparing for the day, and are scattered around the school and are unable to supervise students. After 8.15am teachers are in classes, and ready to welcome the children in. Thanks for your support with this.

Term 1 Sport 2024

All pupils playing sport for DPS must wear the correct DPS sports uniform, this is available from the NZ Uniform shop or some may be available at our 2nd hand uniform shop at DPS.

With the high number of teams we will have this term we may require parents to coach.  Please indicate below if you can help out with your child’s team - all gear and rules will be provided and if you are unable to take practises during school time we can cover that for you. ** Please note that this year, we need to provide an intermediate softball umpire for some of the games - if we can not do so, we will not be able to enter a team. 

We ask that you think very carefully before you commit your child to a team. It is not fair to the team, coach and opposition if players are continually late to games or do not turn up. This includes practises during lunchtimes - they are not optional.

Fees are to be paid to the office by Friday 23rd February (End of Week 4, Term 1). 

They can be paid online: 

Douglas Park School

12-3290-0064275-00

Please contact Hayley or the office if you would like to make a payment plan.  

Sign up here by Tuesday 13th February

Masterton district brass band are offering years 4,5,6 students a chance to learn how to play a brass instrument - Instruments are Cornet, trombone, tenor horn, baritone.  lessons are in school time. There is a small cost of $50 to hire the instrument and $50 a term for the lessons, if interested either email Narissa on mastertonbrass@gmail.com or get a form from the office.